The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-16
BASEBALL MANAGEMENT T
AClub with Divided Authority That Has
Views Concerning Its Manager.
Reasons Why the Indianapolis Players Do Not
Win More Games-Prospect of Change
in the Presidency of the Club.

1t is the prevailing opinion that the Indianap-
oils team needs batting strength. With this it
is thought by those vino desire to be charitable
to the players that few games can be credited
to the winning side of the account. But at the
same time there is a lurking belief that a few
lessons in base ball man agement should be taken
by the directors. Some assert that the supreme
authority in the club should be sble to control
itself before it undertakes to direct the move
ments of others. But this does not altogether
relieve the players. They should be made to
understand that their skill and experience in
ball-playing were sold at much per month,
and that if the directors inclined to overlook
their negligence because they do not agree with
certain individuals of the directory as to who
should be manager, the people will not. What
manner of man the directors say shall be man
ager is of the players business.
He is employed for certain purpose,
and they were themselves employed,
account of his presumed fitness in knowledge
and expei snce in ballplaying. Eight of the
players in a game can as rightfully object to
the pitcher, baseman, fielder as to mana
ger. But there conditions under which this
rule can be applied, and the first and most i'm
portant pertains to the employing power.
Whether the Indianapolis club directors have
observed
purchase of the franchise and the management
of the club so far best illustrate.
When the work of canvassing for subscriptions
TO the stock of the club was undertaken, Burn
ham became active at all of the meetings While
the committee was in New York negotiating for
the franchise frequent kilograms were sent from
here by Burnham. stating that the requisite
$4,000 would be raised, that $4,000 had
already been secured, and that there
assurance of $1,000 on
the day following After of
those glowing and untruthful kilograms
had been received in New York bv the
committee, one of the members and Spalding
were walking up town together. Said Spald-
ing "How much will you people be able to
raise7" mot less than $50 O00." was the reply.
You will get the club" said Spalding 1t is
said that the League directors would have been
willing to give the club TO Indianapolis without
price had it not been for st. Louis and Kansas
City. But upon the assurance of the kilograms
from Indianapolis, the committee began the
negotiations With the certainty of being COM
PEELED to put down a large sum of m oney for the
franchise Mr.. Newbergers faith in the state
ment that the money would be forthcoming gave
his acceptance to the League for $l4, 900. Shortly
at once seen and asked, "How much money
have you gotg About $12. O00," he replied.
Why did you telegraph the lie that you saw the
500, 900 ahead without adoubt" ''You have to lie
to get up baseball club in Indianapolis"
What was done after that in pc rsistent begging
to secure the desired amount it is not necessary
to rehearse The club finally organized,
and its officers, knowing how queerly the proba-
bility of Burnnam's becoming manager was re-
ceived by the League directors in New York.
elected him to that position solely on account of
what they deemed his valuable SERVES In push
ing the enterprise. Some of the directors were
opposed to the choice, and it is believed that If
the question had been left to a full board Burn
ham would not in the first place have had con-
troll of the players.
1t is thought that to prevent too much friction
among the officers on this account the idea of
having managing committee to oversee Burn
ham was suggested. 1t was carried out and the
com mittee has become important factor in
complicating the affairs of the club. Until the
fine was imposed by Burnham on the players for
their refusal to practice, he the managing com
players heartily dsliked the manager and there
is evidence that they were indirectly encouraged
in this dislike by some of the officers An init.
nation that the fine would be remitted led
the to think that Burnham had
no friends at court, and that he
would would in d., time be relieved hey of of his
tration committee, and then before the directors,
Burnham all the time insisting that the fine
should remain While majority OF the board
thought that the fine right they were op-
posed to Burnham, and then followed his resig-
nation. The directors did not expect this. They
wanted to relieve him without that privilege, al
that the first paper of apology from
the players shown to them by Burnham
alton they fined him 800. Burnham says
they passed resolution commencing
him for mis- base ball knowledge besides pre-
senting him with suit of clothes that cost 500.
Nobody expected Burnham to be restored. but
the managing committee sent him down to Nash
vile to purchase Corcorans release. When he
and the pitcher arrived in the city the managing
committee began to favor Burnham's restora-
ton. 1t was accomplished last Wednesday
night by the committee, and not by the direct
ors, the majority of whom oppose him. Mr..
Newberger, the president, and the committee
are not in accord in this matter. He did not
want Corcoran did not favor Burnham's going
after him, and decidedly against
the Iatter's restoration manager In
position is taking up too much of
retire from the presidency in a few days. just as
coon as his successor can be selected. Mr.. Brush
is TAXED of for the pl ace, though 1T is doubtful
VIII ether he will accept Others have been sug-
gested, but Mr.. Brush seems to be the favorite
of number of the directors. In following out
reforms of management it has been said that
Glasscock ought to be manager of the club. with
out the interference of a managing committee,
which should De abolished The proposition is
made that the affairs of the club should be man
ag ed by as few men possible
Games Yesterday.
CINCINNATI. 13; BRooKLYN, A.
CINCINNATI. May 15.-Tnirteen thousand spec
tators saw Cincinnati intlict decisive defeat on
the Brooklyns to-day, thereby winning second